Former Maverick gives heartwarming message about Dirk Nowitzki

Former Dallas Maverick Shawn Bradley just became a fan favorite for basketball fans of all ages.

Bradley played for the Mavericks from 1997 until 2005 and was one of the more notable Mavericks from that era. Standing at 7'6, you couldn't miss Bradley if you were watching the Mavericks. He averaged 7 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game over the 582 games he played for Dallas.

Bradley's name struck headlines in heartbreaking fashion in March of 2021.

Former Maverick gives heartwarming message about Dirk Nowitzki

On January 20, 2021, Bradley was riding his bicycle around his neighborhood and was hit by a car from behind. He was rushed to the hospital and became paralyzed due to the accident. Even during this tough time, Bradley and his family have stayed positive.

The 7-foot big man was spotted at a Texas Legends basketball camp for children on Wednesday afternoon and had a Q&A session with the campers. Once he was asked about Dirk Nowitzki, Bradley had something to say that'll make basketball fans shed a tear.

"Dirk was my teammate so we only played against each other in practice," Bradley said. "Have you ever watched Dirk play? Do you know why he shoots the ball so high? Because he had to shoot over me every day at practice."

This may not seem like anything, but people that know Bradley and his story understand how awesome of a moment this is.

Bradley and Dirk were close during his time in Dallas, as the two played seven seasons together. The two likely guarded each other often at practice, just like Bradley said. Even though Bradley was joking about Nowitzki's release point, there could be some truth to it. Bradley is one of the tallest NBA players ever and isn't easy to shoot over.

Dirk and Mark Cuban visited Bradley a few months after his accident, and they still share a special relationship.

Bradley will never be able to walk again, and he still has a smile on his face and is enjoying his time with a group of campers at a basketball camp. Incredibly, Bradley is in good spirits and giving back to the community. He doesn't let his accident hold him down.

Bradley is a Maverick for life, and this moment between him and the young campers illustrates his personality perfectly.

Stay tuned for any news surrounding the Mavericks this summer as they try to improve their roster around Luka Doncic.